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On the morning of 20th July 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem) convened the Export Market Strategy Conference for the 2026–2030 period, combining in-person and online participation. The event gathered delegates from central ministries and agencies, trade promotion organisations, economic experts, financial partners, Group leaders, member units, and connected online with Vietnam Trade Offices in India, the United States, and Cambodia. This important forum aimed to comprehensively assess market trends, identify opportunities and challenges for Vinachem’s export activities in the new period, and put into action the spirit of Resolution No. 79-NQ/TW of the Politburo on state economic development—where state-owned groups like Vinachem are tasked with leading key sectors of the economy. It also reflected Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW on a new approach to foreign policy, shifting from “defending development space” to “creating national development capacity”.

Attending were Mr. Trần Chí Thành, Deputy Director of the Economic Diplomacy Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); Mr. Nguyễn Duy Kiên, Head of the Foreign Market Development Division (Ministry of Industry and Trade); Mr. Đậu Anh Tuấn, Deputy General Secretary and Head of Legal Department, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI); Mr. Bùi Trung Thướng, Vietnam’s Trade Counsellor in India; Mr. Đỗ Ngọc Hưng, Trade Counsellor and Head of Vietnam Trade Office in the United States; Mr. Đỗ Việt Phương, Trade Counsellor in Cambodia; Ms. Bùi Kim Thùy, economist and member of the Harvard Advisory Council; Mr. Trương Song Hào, Deputy Director of Corporate Banking, Vietcombank.

Representing Vinachem were Mr. Phùng Quang Hiệp, Chairman of the Members’ Council, and Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Tú, General Director, as well as Members’ Council members, Deputy General Directors, Chief Accountant, department heads, and leaders of member units.

Export – a Pillar for New Growth

“This is not an ordinary review meeting.” At the outset, Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Tú, General Director, made it clear: Vinachem must make export a true driver of growth for 2026–2030, and today’s conference should be a forum for connection—where we collectively chart the most effective paths for Vinachem’s brand to penetrate deeper and more sustainably into the global value chain.

The basis for such ambition lies in the figures of the past five years: Group-wide export turnover reached around USD 2.47 billion in 2021–2025, with an average annual growth of 12.4%. In 2025 alone, exports surpassed USD 571 million, with products present in over 80 countries and territories. This is the achievement of nearly 20,000 Vinachem staff, engineers, and workers—and is the springboard for a future that will demand even more.

Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Tú outlined five key challenges for this conference: shifting from selling “what we have” to meeting “what the market needs”; green transition to overcome CBAM and ESG standards; leveraging the economic diplomacy network and Vietnam Trade Offices abroad; managing payment risk and applying AI to market forecasting; and building a skilled, professional export workforce. Innovation, digital transformation, and green transition are the three pillars, revolving around the goal: double-digit export growth each year, surpassing USD 1 billion in export turnover, and exceeding VND 100 trillion in revenue by 2030.

Member Unit Solutions: Turning Growth Ambitions into Reality

At the conference, the Group’s Business Planning Department presented an overview of Vinachem’s exports in 2021–2025 and plans for 2026–2030, providing a basis for member units to compare their practice and propose specific solutions. Member unit representatives then shared practical measures being implemented to realise the core tasks set out by the General Director.

On building and protecting the brand, Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company has consistently linked exports with its “Đầu Trâu Fertiliser” brand, combining trademark registration in target markets with technical support—holding seminars, demonstration models, and technology transfer to build direct trust with farmers before expanding official commercial activities. Dry Cell & Storage Battery Joint Stock Company (PINACO) has focused on in-depth market development, putting customers at the centre, moving from a “selling products” mindset to “accompanying customers”—developing distribution systems and selectively expanding into new markets to balance structure and reduce dependence on traditional areas.

On enhancing competitiveness and risk response, The Southern Rubber Industry Joint Stock Company (Casumina) has invested in product quality, shifted towards high-tech products, and built a transparent data system to effectively handle trade defence cases in various markets. Units also agreed on greater specialisation of import-export teams by international business, documentation, logistics; increased digital transformation in order management and supply chains; and proactively leveraging the support of Vinachem and Vietnam’s Trade Offices abroad for trade promotion, partner vetting, and early market risk warning.

Insights from State Bodies and Vinachem’s Partners

At the conference, Mr. Trần Chí Thành emphasised that, amid strategic competition and global supply chain restructuring, economic diplomacy should shift from a support role to actively creating development space for enterprises. He noted that Resolution No. 79-NQ/TW of the Politburo identifies state-owned groups like Vinachem as pioneers in leading key economic sectors. Meanwhile, Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW requires a foreign policy mindset focused on development, making economic diplomacy a new driver of national growth. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed strengthening cooperation with Vinachem in trade promotion, export market expansion, integrating chemical sector cooperation into high-level foreign affairs, and facilitating technology transfer and high-tech investment from strategic partners such as Japan, Korea, Germany, and France.

On trade management, Mr. Nguyễn Duy Kiên reported that in the first half of 2026, Vietnam’s exports maintained strong momentum, reaching USD 266.52 billion, up 21%; the chemical sector alone reached USD 1.572 billion, up 10.8%. However, he noted that cost advantages are shrinking as green standards, ESG requirements, and trade defence measures become new barriers in international commerce. Businesses must therefore shift from price competition to technology, standards, digital transformation, and brand, while making full use of Vietnam’s overseas Trade Offices for market intelligence and early risk warning.

On free trade agreements (FTAs), Mr. Đậu Anh Tuấn pointed out that the EU remains a major untapped market for Vinachem’s key products such as fertilisers, rubber, batteries, and detergents. He said tariff advantages from the EVFTA can only be converted into competitive edges if companies proactively meet technical standards, standardise product data, and improve their ability to handle trade defence measures. Vinachem should develop a roadmap for FTA exploitation, choosing the right markets, complying with rules of origin, meeting technical requirements, and continuously enhancing competitiveness for sustainable growth.

From a financial perspective, Mr. Trương Song Hào of Vietcombank introduced trade finance and international payment solutions tailored to the chemical sector’s value chain, from working capital financing and non-recourse L/C document purchase to foreign exchange risk hedging. These are seen as solutions to enhance financial management and reduce risks for exporters amid global market volatility.

Connecting online, Vietnam’s Trade Counsellors in India, the United States, and Cambodia provided updates on market trends, import demand, and new requirements for Vinachem’s key product lines. While all three markets offer significant growth potential, each has its own standards, technical regulations, and competitive environments, requiring tailored approaches rather than a one-size-fits-all model. The Trade Offices pledged continued support for Vinachem in trade promotion, partner connections, importer vetting, market information, and early warnings on policy and trade risks, helping enhance the Group’s export effectiveness in the coming period.

Six Priority Solutions for the New Export Strategy

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Tú assessed the export results of 2025 as a solid foundation for Vinachem’s new phase but cautioned against complacency amid growing global economic and trade complexity. He set out six priorities: maintaining double-digit growth in 2026; improving forecasting and market analysis; researching and developing products tailored to each market; building a professional export workforce; fully leveraging 20 signed FTAs (17 of which are in force with over 60 partners); and strengthening risk management in foreign trade, especially for direct exports.

More than just an exchange on export operations, the conference created a networking space linking state management, economic diplomacy, Vietnam’s overseas Trade Offices, experts, financial organisations, and the Group’s business community. Recommendations on market expansion, new-generation FTA utilisation, green transition, digital transformation, risk management, and brand development have helped shape Vinachem’s specific action directions for 2026–2030.

In an increasingly competitive global trade environment, exports are no longer just a revenue growth target but a measure of competitiveness, technological level, and a company’s position in the international value chain. With determination to innovate, support from ministries, the Vietnam Trade Office system, and strategic partners, Vinachem is building the foundation to achieve export turnover of over USD 1 billion by 2030—contributing to the effective implementation of Resolution No. 79-NQ/TW of the Politburo, supporting the country’s double-digit growth targets, and affirming the pioneering role of state-owned enterprises in the development of Vietnam’s chemical industry.